Kings vs. Nashville Predators Open Forum: Familiarity Breeds Contempt

Rob Scuderi: “I kind of like seeing Nashville a lot because they a bit of a different style. So, we’re a little more familiar with them. I noticed the first time we played them it took us a while to adjust. Then, that last game that we won, I thought we were ready to go right off the bat – because they do play a very aggressive style. It’s something we don’t see all the time. So, I think (when seeing the same team so many times), at least when playing Nashville, it’s an advantage for us.”

I have seen Nashville plenty of times. They like speed at the forward position while they play a suffocating defensive game. Their forwards back check but Nashville, like us, thrives on the transition. Make a mistake and they come at you. Henceforth, good goaltending is a must. On the back-end, they remind me of…us. Their defenseman guard the home plate well, clear rebounds and play with active sticks. The size and scoring addition of Jeff Carter and the net size gain with Dwight King and Jordan Nolan help us match well against the Predators as we can confidently roll four lines. If all they had to do was shut down Anze Kopitar’s line and push around our third and fourth lines, we would be in trouble because shut down they can, even with the smallest lead. But Carter’s goal scoring touch and the unexpected balance Dwight King has brought to the second gives Nashville (and just about every other good defensive team) a second line to worry about and that means the Predators spend more time thinking about stopping us than attacking us…and that’s a good thing.

We’ve danced this dance with them before. Jonathan Bernier should get the start. I wish him focus and fortune. We will need this predestined number two to shine like an indispensable one. Tonight will present a challenge but the mantra stays the same. Just win.

38 replies

Old saying is that you start playoff hockey in March.
It is the time for a hot streak. The team could use a new spark plug like Stoll or
Penner or Richards lighting it up. Real champions step it up and they started to show
that last night.
Going tonight and Go Kings Go!

Dead on. With everything else clicking if Penner suddenly regaining his form could be the one thing to push it all over the top and would be a huge boost to Stoll.

Right now the 3rd and 4th line are doing a decent checking job but if Penner happened to rediscovered his game that would not only elevate Stoll’s game tremendously but would give us a solid three line threat and raise the Kings to elite level very quickly.
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For what it’s worth, I’ve been trying to figure out the socks since 2002. He wore them for the Hockey Fights Cancer softball games the Flyers played too. (Although he looks perfectly normal without them, so I’ve got nothin as far as a logical reason for them.)

Kings have let it go – whether its a system tweek or Jeff Carter has convinced the team he’s got Martian princesses waiting for them if they make the playoffs, who cares. If I see Bailey replaced by Tars Tarkus, I’m running through the streets naked.

Home from game. Team is hot. Chemistry clicking.
As I said earlier I wanted to see red lights beaconing by Penner, Stoll or Richards. Got my wish.
Got to give credit when due.
A lot of Green paddy day stuff everywhere.
I thought Kings were going to do warm ups with Green paddy shirts. Glad I was spared that
Bernier 6-1 v Nash.
Frankly a shock to see 3 goals in 3rd. That tells me the stats on paper is materializing.
King is lucky to team up with Carter and Richards and he deserves it for hussling.
So they are clawing their way back and they look ready to BBQ some shark steaks come Tues.